Wales

Rio Percy (also known in Welsh as Afon Percy) is located adjacent to the “Welsh” town of Trevelin in Argentina

Hurrah. The warn us of the dangers of wild swimming but don’t tell us we can’t do it. “Land of my fathers” (waterfalls, lakes and rivers). Brillo.

Caerleon (nr Newport, South Wales)

(A TWO TRUNK location)

Location

This swim is located in the “Lost City of the Legion” (thats just outside Caerleon Roman fortress, north of Newport). Its signposted from the M4 (thats the Roman fortress not the swim and don’t be confused by the signs to Roman baths!)

Grid ref

ST338/902

Features

Well, where else (in Britain) can you swim next to 2000 year old Roman walls?

Hazards

Without any doubt this is the safest place to swim in the tidal waters of the River Usk. Watch out for nails and strings left by 21st century archaeology students! And its a bit muddy!!

Date of swim

31st September 2011

Dolgoch Falls (Snowdonia)

(Another FIVE TRUNK location)

Location

Dolgoch Falls approx 4km from the village of Bryncrug.Well signposted series of waterfalls with FREE parking and no admittance charge (Thankyou Wales).

Grid Ref

SH653/044

Features

Series of waterfalls, nearly all with some kind of “plunge pool” beneath them. Refreshing.

Hazards

Access is difficult to many of them and don’t bother with the first one you find or you will be “watched from the public gallery”. Just follow the path. I think the best one is the last one just before you leave the wood.

Date of Last Swim

TBC

Lynn Dinas (Snowdonia)

!!! PHOTO AVAILABLE ON REQUEST !!!

Location

Only 2km north-east of Beddgelert along the A498. The road passes along the north side of the lake, but the nicest “swims” are along the south shore.

Grid Ref

SH 614/493

Features

Along the south shore there is equally good access and in places shingly stones. Gets deep quick which means you are “committed” very soon.

Hazards

No really, but I was buzzed by a rescue helicopter before it realised it was meant to be retrieving a walker with a broken leg.

Date of Last Swim

23rd May 2005

Llyn Llydaw (Snowdonia)

(Like so many Llyns in Snowdonia this is a FIVE TRUNK location)

Location

Llyn Llydaw is the second lake you reach if you are climbing Snowdon from Pen-y-Pass.

Grid Ref

SH634/544

Features

The views what more can I say (oh its got lovely clear water and reasonably flat stones for access).

Hazards

Some say its cold, but just what do you expect?

Date of Last Swim

July 2002

Llyn Cau (Snowdonia)

(Yet another of Snowdonia’s FIVE TRUNK locations bagged)

!!! PHOTO AVAILABLE ON REQUEST !!!

Location

On the Minffordd Path route up Cadair Idris (from the south-west). You can’t miss it.

Grid Ref

SH715/123

Features

Reasonable beaches for entry and drops off in depth rapidly (so there is no going back). Fantastic views.

Hazards

When I went in some nutters had carried a rowing boat up the steep path to the Llyn (they didn’t even use it to swim in the middle! must be nutters!).

Date of Last Swim

July 2002

Llyn Cwellyn (Snowdonia)

(Yet another of Snowdonia’s FIVE TRUNK locations)

!!! PHOTO AVAILABLE ON REQUEST !!!

Location

Approx 1km NW of Rhyd Ddu, to west of Snowdon (north west of Beddgelert). Theres a small car park and boat house!

Grid Ref

SH561/532

Features

Fabulous setting and even an island to swim round.

Hazards

Popular fishing spot (and they don’t just stay on shore, they use boats!!)

Date of Last Swim

15th August 2003

Llyn Y Dywarchen (Snowdonia)

(Only a FOUR TRUNK location)

!!! PHOTO AVAILABLE ON REQUEST !!!

Location

Approx 1km N of Rhyd Ddu, to west of Snowdon (north west of Beddgelert). I swam on the south shore because we were camping there at a site owned by the nearby (very expensive and unfriendly tourist) pub.

Grid Ref

SH565/543

Features

Lovely view with Beddgelert Forest on one side and Snowdon on the other. Easy access and rough grass for sunbathing. The campsite is only 100m from the shore.

Hazards

Surprisingly in places a bit dirty. Watch out for fishing lines.

Date of Last Swim

17th August 2003

Llyn Idwal (Snowdonia)

(Lets face it most Llyns in Snowdonia can be awarded FIVE TRUNK swims)

Location

Just west of Tryfan. Quickest route is from Pen-y-benglog (0.5km)

Grid Ref

SH645/595

Features

Fantastic views of Tryfan and the Devils Kitchen.

Hazards

Watch out…. my Brother had his clothes stolen while he was in the water (oh, but he was on his Stag Weekend)

Date of Last Swim

1998

River Severn (nr Llandrinio, mid Wales)

Location

You can park in a layby on the B4393 on the Llandrinio side of the bridge and then follow the Severn Way path. Then its just a case of pick your spot as there are plenty in the bends of the river.

Grid ref

SJ293/166

Features

Long stretches of relatively deep water.

Hazards

Not really a hazard but this part of the Severn cuts through clay so you will have the usual “comedy” avoiding getting very muddy.

Date of swim

10th and 12th July 2015

River Nedd (Brecon Beacons)

(Without a doubt a FIVE TRUNK location. Look its got a water jump!)

Location

Approx 3km north of Pontneddfrechan (5km from Hirwaun, Ok have you heard of Merthyr Tydfil). Park by the picnic area and follow the River Nedd (?) south for 300m.

Grid Ref

SN906/103

Features

What more can you ask for. A river with a pool deep enough for jumping into!

Hazards

None, but you might die from the excitement.

Date of Last Swim

30th May 2005

Rheadr Gafr (Snowdonia)

(A FOUR TRUNK location- if the water nymph featured in Robs Directory of Cool Places had been present it would have scored more)

Location

Nant Peris off the A4086 between Caernarfon and Betwys-y-Coed. Follow the track up (I mean up) from the campsite opposite the pub, then keep close to the stream and you can’t miss (unless you get too worn out with the climb). Unfortunately there are alot of new fences to contend with on the way up. AS FEATURED IN ROBBS DIRECTORY OF COOL PLACES.

Grid Ref

TBC

Features

Not too much room for swimming but an excellent “cold plunge”, added possibility of seeing the water nymph (Amanda) who apparently has been going to this spot for 35 years.

Hazards

If you have a heart condition, don’t bother with the climb up the side of the valley to the waterfall, its harder than you think. The new fences are a pain in the b*m (literally).

Date of Last Swim

June 2001

Ystradfellite (Brecon Beacons)

(There are many waterfalls near Ystradfellite of varying quality. This one was excellent, but only scored THREE TRUNK location because it is the only swimming location where my heart really did let me know it wasn’t happy)

Location

Park near Ystradfellte and follow the river south. You shouldn’t be able to miss the waterfalls.

Grid Ref

SN929/100

Features

Excellent waterfall and plenty of room for swimming.

Hazards

Bl**dy cold. One of the few times that my heart has “tightened” due to the coldness of the water around me.

Date of Last Swim

30th May 2005

Afon Teifi (Pembrokeshire)

(A FOUR TRUNK location)

!!! PHOTO AVAILABLE ON REQUEST !!!

Location

Approx 1.5km SE of Cardigan (Aberteifi for our Welsh speaking friends). Park in the car park for the Wildlife Centre next to Rosehill Marsh (the one with the giant otter) and follow the signs for the Gorge Walk.

Grid Ref

SN194/444

Features

Excellent spot with tree linked banks.

Hazards

Fast flowing water and therefore fast flowing rafts/canoes. Also there are loads of places where the water looks inviting but where the bank is too steep/high for an emergency exit.

Date of Last Swim

26th May 2003

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Durdle Door is a natural sea arch in Dorset. Every year a party of like-minded individual get together for the weekend to swim through this impressive place. This year's dates are likely to be 8th - 10th June 2018.